Podzol Mound Ant

Formica podzolica

General Status Rank: 
Undetermined
Common Name: 
Podzol Mound Ant
Scientific Name: 
Formica podzolica
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Hymenoptera (Ant)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Arthropoda
Class: 
Insecta
Order: 
Hymenoptera
Family: 
Formicidae
Habitat
This blackish and shy species is found in the boreal coniferous forest and in similar biomes in the mountains of North America where it builds large sandy or loamy mounds with huge polygynous populations (Francoeur 1973). These mounds may be naked or covered by mosses or herbaceous plants. (Podzol = Type of light-coloured soil found predominantly under coniferous forests …in cool regions)
References: 
R209
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Plains
References: 
A159

Distribution

Very widespread in Canada.
References: 
H254
A159

Number of Occurrences

Found along Mack River between Jean Marie River, and Ft Providence (acc. To map in A159)
References: 
A159

Area of Occupancy

Score: 
-
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Undetermined
Status Rank Description: 
Very widespread in Canada. Inhabits boreal coniferous forest (Francoeur 1997 R209). Nests in the soil, creating loamy mounds (Francoeur 1997). Colonies are numerous, easily found, and are large mounds constructed of acidic, infertile podzolic soils or sand. Individual mounds may be bare or exposed, or overgrown with moss or other herbaceous plants (Francoeur 1997; Ellison et al. 2012). This species is not well studied. There is widespread potential habitat, nest sites and foraging opportunities within its known range in Canada.
S Rank: 
SU
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted as part of Natiional list by Gary Umphrey . March 2010; Draft ranks in 2014 by Jennifer Heron for the National General Status Ranking Program.
Last Updated: 
September 30, 2019

References

Ecozones

  • Francoeur, A. 1973. (1973) Révision taxonomique des espèces néarctiques du groupe fusca, genre Formica (Formicidae, Hymenoptera).. Mémoires de la Société Entomologique du Québec. 3:1-316. http://navajonature.org/ants/formicinae/formica-podzolica.html - A159 Return

Habitat

  • Francoeur, André (1997) Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Yukon. Chapter in book (pages 901-910) Insects of the Yukon H.V. Danks and J.A. Downes, editors copy in binder - R209 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Francoeur, A. 1973. (1973) Révision taxonomique des espèces néarctiques du groupe fusca, genre Formica (Formicidae, Hymenoptera).. Mémoires de la Société Entomologique du Québec. 3:1-316. http://navajonature.org/ants/formicinae/formica-podzolica.html - A159 Return

Range Extent

  • Umphrey, Gary (2010) Assessment of ants. E-mail from Hebert,Remi [NCR] [Remi.Hebert@ec.gc.ca] to Carriere, S. - 28/03/2011 - attachment in Excel with G Umphrey list of ants in Canada copy in binder - H254 Return
  • Francoeur, A. 1973. (1973) Révision taxonomique des espèces néarctiques du groupe fusca, genre Formica (Formicidae, Hymenoptera).. Mémoires de la Société Entomologique du Québec. 3:1-316. http://navajonature.org/ants/formicinae/formica-podzolica.html - A159 Return